What to pack for a stay at Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown
Pack city-ready clothing that matches Chicago weather for your travel dates, plus layers for wind off Lake Michigan and comfortable shoes for walking the Riverwalk and nearby attractions. Bring toiletry basics, chargers and any meeting or event supplies you need (the hotel has meeting rooms and the Penthouse Ballroom), and don’t forget pet supplies or kid items if you’re using the Family Suite or Junior Suite (Family).
In this guide
Which room will you be in — and how that affects your packing
Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown offers a mix of guest rooms and suites (examples: Deluxe Room, Superior Suite, Premier Room, Studio (Columbus), Junior Suite (Family), Suite, 2 Bedrooms). Decide your packing list around the room type you reserved.
If you reserved a suite (for example Superior Suite, Suite, 1 Bedroom or Suite, 2 Bedrooms) you’ll likely have extra living space and sometimes a kitchenette area; that makes packing some grocery basics or a few condiments useful if you plan on simple meals.
Traveling in a Deluxe Room or Premier Room means more compact sleeping and storage areas; rely on the hotel’s in-room robes and the open closet/hangers for short stays but plan to bring any specialty clothing storage or hangers you need for longer stays.
- For suites with kitchenettes: a small supply of coffee/tea, resealable bags, dish soap sponge (optional).
- For Deluxe / Studio (Columbus): pack a small folding day bag and a shoe bag to save space in the closet.
- If you booked Junior Suite (Family): bring favorite small toys, nightlight, and any child-specific bedding items you prefer.
| Room type | Packing focus |
|---|---|
| Superior Suite / Suite, 1 Bedroom | Extra clothes/meeting outfits; snack basics; power strips |
| Deluxe Room / Premier Room | Light luggage; wrinkle-resistant clothing; good walking shoes |
| Studio (Columbus) / Junior Suite (Family) | Kid items or fitness gear if using Junior Suite (Fitness); small kitchen supplies for studios |
Clothing and layers for Chicago weather
Chicago weather changes with the seasons and can be windy near the river and lake; pack layers. Summers are warm and can have short heavy rain; spring and fall are cool and breezy; winters are cold and often snowy.
Bring a lightweight waterproof jacket for spring/fall, a warmer insulated coat for winter, and breathable layers for summer. Comfortable walking shoes are a must for Riverwalk and sightseeing.
- Base layers and a mid-layer (fleece or sweater)
- Waterproof shell or compact umbrella
- Comfortable walking shoes plus one dressier pair for dining or events
- Warm hat, gloves and scarf for winter travel
| Season | Key items |
|---|---|
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Light shirts, shorts, light rain jacket |
| Shoulder seasons (Apr–May, Sep–Nov) | Layered tops, windproof jacket |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Insulated coat, warm boots, gloves |
Toiletries, health items and fitness gear
The hotel provides basic bathroom amenities but pack your personal toiletries, medications, and any specialty items you require. If you need accessible or hearing-specific items for a Room (Hearing) or Superior Suite (Hearing), bring those supplies with you.
Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown has a 24/7 fitness center with cardio and strength equipment (including a Peloton bike) so pack workout clothes and shoes if you plan to use the gym or jog along the Chicago Riverwalk.
- Personal medications and copies of prescriptions
- Toothbrush, razor, skincare items you prefer
- Workout clothes, socks, and training shoes
- Small first-aid kit and any allergy meds
| If you plan to | Pack |
|---|---|
| Use fitness center | Gym clothes, lock for locker (optional), headphones |
| Jog the Riverwalk | Reflective running gear, running belt, light rain jacket |
| Attend a meeting or event | Staples for presentation, business cards, laptop charger |
Tech, documents and business-meeting essentials
Bring chargers for phone, laptop and any other devices; a compact power strip or multiport charger can be useful in rooms and suites. The Destination Fee includes basic Wi-Fi for unlimited devices — still bring offline copies of any important materials.
If you’re attending or hosting events in the Grand Ballroom, Penthouse Ballroom, or any meeting rooms, pack presentation adapters, a laptop, printed handouts if needed, and business cards.
- Phone and laptop chargers, portable battery pack
- HDMI/VGA adapters and USB sticks if presenting
- Printed boarding passes/IDs and a photo ID for the person checking in (must be 21+)
- Wallet, credit card used to guarantee the reservation
| Event type | Suggested extras |
|---|---|
| Small meeting or boardroom | Laptop, adaptors, printed agenda |
| Larger ballroom event/wedding | Extra professional attire, evening shoes, touch-up kit |
| Hybrid/virtual meeting | Headset, webcam, stable hotspot plan |
Family travel and kids — what to bring
Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown welcomes children of all ages and offers a Junior Suite (Family) and other family-friendly options. Children 17 and under stay free using existing bedding when sharing a parent or guardian’s room, so bring any bedding or sleep items your child needs for comfort.
Pack compact entertainment for downtown walking and restaurants (Hoyt’s Chicago welcomes families) and consider items for variable weather since family outings may include the Riverwalk, Millennium Park and nearby attractions.
- Favorite small toys, chargers for tablets, child snacks
- Portable stroller and a light travel blanket
- Nightlight, bath items and any child-specific toiletries
- Copies of vaccination card or health info if you prefer
| Child age | Packing notes |
|---|---|
| Infant / toddler | Diapers, portable changing mat, small travel crib if preferred |
| Young children | Activity books, headphones, lightweight stroller |
| Teens | Phone charger, comfortable walking shoes, layered clothing |
Traveling with pets
Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown is pet-friendly and allows up to two pets per suite with a non-refundable $100 pet fee collected at check-in; service animals are exempt. The hotel maintains a PAWS policy page with local vet and dog-sitting info.
Bring your pet’s essentials and documentation. The Loop location and nearby Riverwalk offer places to walk a dog, but plan for busy sidewalks in peak tourist seasons.
- Food and bowls for the length of stay
- Leash, waste bags, favorite bed or blanket
- Copy of vaccination records and any medications
- Tidy-up wipes and a small towel for wet days
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Vaccination records | Helpful at check-in and if vet care is needed |
| Leash & waste bags | Required for city sidewalks and Riverwalk |
| Comfort item | Reduces anxiety in a new environment |
Extras for events, weddings and longer stays
If you’re attending a wedding or hosting an event at the Penthouse Ballroom or Grand Ballroom, pack dress shoes, formal attire and any small emergency sewing/repair items. The Penthouse Ballroom and Penthouse Terrace have skyline views, so a light wrap can be useful for cool rooftop evenings.
For longer stays, consider bringing a small laundry kit or travel stain remover; the hotel offers valet and laundry services but having basics on hand saves time between business or sightseeing.
- Formal outfit and comfortable change for after-reception evenings
- Travel sewing kit and stain pen
- Extra hangers or packing cubes for longer stays
- Light wrap or shawl for rooftop events
| Event detail | Suggested item |
|---|---|
| Rooftop cocktail on Penthouse Terrace | Light jacket or wrap |
| Banquet in Grand Ballroom | Comfortable dress shoes and backup flats |
| Multi-day business trip | Travel-sized laundry supplies, extra chargers |
